Sean Samoheyl is a resident of the Twin Oaks Community in Louisa County—an intentional community founded on the principles of egalitarianism and sustainability. One of numerous intentional communities created in rural Virginia during the back-to-the-land movement of the 1960s and 1970s, Twin Oaks residents reject the throwaway consumer culture prevalent in America for a more subsistence-based style of living. It was this philosophical grounding in part that led Sean Samoheyl to pursue the craft of chair making in addition to other traditional building skills. To both learn and hone his craft, Sean sought the guidance of elder masters in the region. In a relatively short period of time, Sean has become a first-rate craftsman, recognized both within and outside of the Twin Oaks community as a master of his craft. David Rogers, an aspiring woodworker from Winchester, is eager to work as Sean’s apprentice.
Gallery
Sean “Purl” Samoheyl photographed outside the chair shop at the Twin Oaks community.
Pat Jarrett/The Virginia Folklife Program
Sean “Purl” Samoheyl photographed in the chair shop at the Twin Oaks community.
Pat Jarrett/The Virginia Folklife Program
David Rogers works on a chair in the shop at Twin Oaks.
Pat Jarrett/The Virginia Folklife Program
Sean Samoheyl holds a pile of wood shavings.
Pat Jarrett/the Virginia Folklife Program
